A three-year-old boy stuck in a borewell in Morena district of Madhya Pradesh for the past two days was found dead by rescuers early on Tuesday.

Three-year-old Raghav Sharma, stuck in a borewell, was found dead by rescuers early on Tuesday in Morena district of Madhya Pradesh. (HT Photo)

A three-year-old boy stuck in a borewell in Morena district of Madhya Pradesh for the past two days was found dead by rescuers early on Tuesday.

When the rescue team reached Raghav Sharma, there were no signs of life, officials said. He was sent to a nearby hospital where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Raghav slipped into the 38-foot borewell while playing near a farm in Hargangoli village, located 20 km from the district headquarters, on Sunday morning.

The child’s inconsolable father, Devendra Sharma, said: “My son fell into the borewell between 8.30 and 9 am on Sunday. The district administration extended all possible help but it’s all God’s design that my son is no more.”

Additional district magistrate Morena, Vivek Singh, said the rescue team reached the boy at 2.45 am. “The child was sent to the district hospital in Morena where he was declared dead. The doctors said injuries sustained by the child as the reason behind the death. However, the body has been sent for a post-mortem examination.”

The rescue operation started after the district administration was informed about the boy falling into the borewell. However, official sources said the tunnel dug to reach the boy had gone in the wrong direction. Water seepage in the tunnel proved a major handicap for the rescue team, the sources said.

On Monday, personnel from the army and the National Disaster Management Authority joined the rescue operation. The rescue team was expected to complete its operation by Monday afternoon but was delayed by the water seepage.

Rescuers were unable to detect any movement by the child on Monday. The rescue team sent food, water and oxygen into the borewell but did not get any response from the boy.

A large number of people had gathered around the borewell and prayed for the child’s safe recovery.